Lee County Garbage Rates Are Recommended To Decrease Next Year

Lee County garbage rates are recommended to decrease next year by nearly 1.5 percent.

The average household is expected to pay about $2.50 less in fiscal year 2014 for weekly curbside garbage, recycling, yard waste and electronics disposal service if approved at a Board of Lee County Commissioners public hearing to be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 25.

The hearing will be held in the Lee County Commission Chambers at the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., in downtown Fort Myers.

The reduction would affect homeowners in unincorporated Lee County, the City of Bonita Springs and the Town of Fort Myers Beach. The proposed reduction rate is 1.44 percent. Combined with the fiscal year reductions since 2009, homeowners will pay $48 less annually, if the new rate is approved. The average household rate is $176.50.

The reduction in part is due to operational savings, increased revenue through recycling and electrical production and sales from the Waste To Energy Facility.

Commercial customers also likely will see reduced garbage bills because the Lee County Solid Waste Division is recommending that the municipal solid waste disposal gate fee be decreased by 6.25 percent. But some commercial customers often change their garbage service level at various times during the year.

Solid Waste is recommending that commissioners approve a 1.8 percent increase to the franchised hauling contractors for collection fees only (not disposal cost), as franchise haulers have experienced higher costs from equipment and fuel expenses.

“The Solid Waste Division provides a local full service system for residents and businesses that continuously meets operational and regulatory requirements,” Director Lindsey Sampson said. “The cost to residents and businesses for this system has remained stable even when major facility development and upgrades have been installed. It’s the division’s goal to maintain this stability to the extent reasonable.”

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